It’s Baaack! Twin Lakes Ice Fishing Derby Returns

As winter storms cycle through the Colorado high country, the snow piles up, as temperatures drop down, and outdoor enthusiasts shift gears and gear. So anglers will be glad to see the the return of the Twin Lakes Ice Fishing Derby in 2017! After a year’s reprieve in 2016, the title sponsor, the Leadville Rod & Gun Club, was able to find some fresh “bait” for its volunteer line, so it’s time to get the word out and Go Fishin!

According to event organizer Angelina Salazar, the 18th Annual Twin Lakes Ice Fishing Derby will be held on February 11 and 12, at Twin Lakes Reservoir, located about 15 miles south of Leadville, Colorado. This annual Lake County event draws in hundreds of winter anglers from across the state to compete for cash and prizes. It’s certainly a favorite among locals and the competition is fierce!

Competitors can enter to win cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for Mackinaw, Rainbow, Brown and Cutthroat fish. Prizes will be awarded on weight of individual fish caught. See how the competition panned out at the last derby in 2015 (RESULTS).

This is also a great outdoor event for the children, passing down family traditions of winter recreation. Children age 12 & under who participate and place in categories will be eligible for a 1st place belt buckle. Trophies will be awarded to 2nd and 3rd winners in each category. There is NO entry fee for the kids competition.

The entry fee is only $40. For an application CLICK HERE. Paper applications can also be picked up locally at the Leadville Sanitation District office at the corner of McWethy Drive and Highway 24 South, near the Dutch Henry Tubing Hill. Registration NEWS: Those interested in taking part can now pick up an application and pay for registration up until Friday, Feb 10 at Saturday’s Discount, located south of Leadville at 12655 US-24, at the Malta Curv.

Danny Gurule of Leadville shows off his First Place Brown at 12.5 ” at the last derby held in 2015. Photo: Leadville Today/Kathy Bedell

If avoiding house chores and snow shoveling isn’t reason enough to take in some ice fishing, then the prize money for the Leadville Rod & Gun Club Annual Ice Fishing Derby might be: over $4k in cash and prizes will be handed out during the weekend event in February.

And money isn’t the only thing they will be giving away! In fact the LRGC is known for delivering some top-of-the-line prizes including an ice auger and portable ice shanty. Each paid contestant will be eligible to win those prizes.

The LRGC raffle will also be back in 2017 and the lucky winner will receive a Mossberg30-06 Patriot Bolt-Action Rifle with scope. Tickets are $5 a piece or buy 5 for $20 from any club member.

The event headquarters and weigh-in station is staged at the Twin Lakes Dexter Parking lot. The Leadville Rod & Gun Club can be reached at P.O. Box 604, Leadville, CO 80461. Or contact LRGC derby organizers Angelina Salazar at 719-293-0567 or Danny Gurule 719-293-5057.

This year, Leadville Today will again be the media sponsor for the Twin Lakes Ice Fishing Derby, so stay tuned for all the fishing action, photos, videos, and results. It should be a fun winter weekend! So pull out your shanty, grab your pole and auger and head out for some winter fun – and what may be the biggest fish you ever catch.

That’s one big Mac Daddy measuring in at 15.76 lb., 35.75” caught by Dennis Byrne. at the 2015 Twin Lakes Ice Fishing Derby. This fish took Third Place in the Macinaw contest. Photo: Leadville Today/ Kathy Bedell.